Pneumonia is an inflammation of the lung, usually caused by an infection. It is an infection in one or both of your lungs. Many small germs, such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi, can cause Pneumonia. It is not a single disease, it can have more than 30 different causes. Understanding the cause is important because Pneumonia treatment depends on its cause. The flu virus is the most common cause of viral Pneumonia in adults. Other viruses that cause Pneumonia include respiratory syncytial virus, rhinovirus, herpes simplex virus, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), and more. Pneumonia can be very serious and can cause death, it tends to be more serious for infants and young children, older adults (people 65 years or older), people who have other chronic health problems, and people who have weak immune systems as a result of diseases or other factors.

Is Pneumonia Contagious ?

Pneumonia is an infection that causes the lung’s air sacs to fill up with fluid that are bacterial. So if you come in contact with someone suffering from bacterial pneumonia, it’s possible for those bacteria to be transmitted to you, although that might not necessarily cause you to develop pneumonia. Pneumonia is not spread nearly as readily as viral infections of the upper airway, it also stops being contagious when coughing stops, usually soon after the initiation of appropriate antibiotics.

If you have Viral Pneumonia, you also are at risk of getting Bacterial Pneumonia.

Pneumonia Transmission

The viruses and bacteria that are commonly found in a child’s nose or throat can infect the lungs if they are inhaled. They may also spread via air-borne droplets from a cough or sneeze. In addition, it may spread through blood, especially during and shortly after birth.

When Pneumonia becomes severe, children may experience lower chest wall in-drawing, where their chests move in or retract during inhalation (in a healthy person, the chest expands during inhalation). Infants may be unable to feed or drink and may also experience unconsciousness, hypothermia and convulsions.

Pneumonia Tests for Diagnosis

The doctor is likely order a chest x-ray if pneumonia is suspected. Some patients may need other tests, including:-

Arterial blood gases to see if enough oxygen is getting into your blood from the lungs

English: Left upper lobe pneumonia with a small pleural effusion. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Pneumonia can be treated with antibiotics. These are usually prescribed at a health centre or hospital, but the vast majority of cases of childhood Pneumonia can be administered effectively within the home. Hospitalization is usually recommended in infants aged two months and younger, and also in very severe cases.

There are currently two types of pneumococcal vaccines: pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) and pneumococcal polysaccharide. The pneumococcal vaccine prevents serious blood, brain, and lung infections from the Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria. Such infections are called pneumococcal disease, they also include pneumonia,meningitis, and septicemia.

Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV13)

The pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) protects against 13 of them. These bacteria types are responsible for most common severe pneumococcal infections among children. PCV13 is recommended as a series of four doses, one dose at each of these ages:

2 months

4 months

6 months and

12 through 15 months

One dose of PCV13 is recommended for adults 19 years and older with the following medical conditions that put them at high risk for pneumococcal disease:

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks

Cochlear implant(s)

Sickle cell disease and other hemaglobinopathies

Functional or anatomic asplenia

Congenital or acquired immunodeficiencies

HIV infection

Chronic renal failure

Nephrotic syndrome

Leukemia

Hodgkin’s disease

Generalized malignancy

Long-term immunosuppressive therapy

Solid organ transplant

Multiple myeloma

Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine (PPSV23)

Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine (PPSV23) protects against 23 types of pneumococcal bacteria, including those most likely to cause serious disease. Most healthy adults who get the vaccine develop protection to most or all of these types within two to three weeks of getting the shot. One dose of PPSV23 is recommended for:

All adults 65 years of age and older

Anyone two through 64 years of age who has a long- term health problem such as: heart disease, lung disease, sickle cell disease diabetes alcoholism cirrhosis leaks of cerebrospinal fluid or cochlear implant

Anyone two through 64 years of age who has a disease or condition that lowers the body’s resistance to infection, such as: Hodgkin’s disease, lymphoma or leukemia, kidney failure, multiple myeloma, nephrotic syndrome, HIV infection or AIDS, damaged spleen, or no spleen, organ transplant

Anyone two through 64 years of age who is taking a drug or treatment that lowers the body’s resistance of infection, such as: long-term steroids, certain cancer drugs, radiation therapy

Any adult 19 through 64 years of age who is a smoker or has asthma

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Published by Rogers Tahir

Civil Engineer, served in army for sometime, presently working in a construction company as Project Manager. Admire good construction and especially fascinated by "Buildings with a History". Looking at Churches gives me an insight about development of Christianity and Architecture. My passion is to share everything that can be helpful to promote peace, goodwill, love and humanity.
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